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Governor's Budget Jeopardizes Treatment and Prevention Programs Vital to Public Health
Gay Men's Health Crisis Warns of Harmful Impact on People living with HIV/AIDS
GMHC today expresses deep concerns for HIV/AIDS services in Governor Paterson's 2009-2010 executive budget. Given the extraordinarily difficult fiscal situation the State now faces, GMHC fully understands the overwhelming need to make cuts in the budget and seek innovative ways to create new revenue streams. However, cuts to HIV/AIDS service providers will have a devastating impact on the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS and all those affected.
Of particular concern for GMHC and its clients are the following budget cuts:
- An overall cut of $515 million to healthcare and human services;
- Over $6.5 million from the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) for people living with HIV/AIDS;
- Over $2.5 million from programming for communities of color;
- A tremendous cut of $1.42 billion to hospitals, nursing homes, home care, and pharmacies, which would provide vital care for people living with HIV/AIDS; and
- A substantial cut to legal services funding for HIV/AIDS providers.
Marjorie J. Hill, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Gay Men's Health Crisis said, "With the incidence of HIV infection on the rise — particularly among communities of color, women, and young gay men — it is ill advised to cut funding to HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention. On the contrary, additional investments in HIV/AIDS programs will not only work to save lives and create improved health outcomes, but will also save the State money in the long run by cutting down on costs for acute medical care."
Despite considerable cutback in other areas of the budget, GMHC is strongly encouraged by the steps Governor Paterson has made to increase the safety net for New York's most poor and vulnerable residents. Over the next three years, the Governor has proposed increasing the Public Assistance Grant by 30 percent. This will be the first increase in nearly two decades. With 78% of GMHC's clients earning less than $10,000 annually, this is a much needed boost for New York's poorest residents.
Governor Paterson's revenue raising proposals fall far short of what is needed to adequately provide direct services to vulnerable populations, including those with HIV/AIDS. It is our hope that the state legislature will identify additional revenue options. GMHC will work with the legislature to restore cuts to HIV/AIDS services and will provide support to legislative revenue raising plans where needed.
Dr. Hill continued, "GMHC will continue to seek increased funding for the entire HIV/AIDS community. After more than a quarter of a century into the fight against HIV/AIDS, severe budget cuts could send us back a decade. Despite the economic crisis we currently face, we must make long-term investments now to protect the health and well-being of all New Yorkers, or we will be worse off in ten years if we do not."
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Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. We provide prevention and care services to more than 15,000 men, women and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City, and advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide.
Our Mission: GMHC fights to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected.
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